Using circular needle and M C, cast on 567(594-594) sts. Join, being careful not to twist sts. Round 1: * K 12, sl 1, K 12, P 2, repeat from * to end of round. Round 2: * K 25, P 2, repeat from * to end of round. Repeat these 2 rounds until piece measures 2(1-4) inches, ending with Round 2. FIRST DEC ROUND: * K 10, K 2 tog, sl 1, K 12, P 2, repeat from * to end of round—21(22-22) sts dec. On the next round * K 24, P 2, repeat from * to end of round. On the following round * K 11, sl 1, K 12, P 2, repeat from * to end of round. Repeat these 2 rounds for 2 inches, ending with Round 2. SECOND DEC ROUND: * K 11, sl 1, K 2 tog, K 10, P 2, repeat from * to end of round—21(22- 22) sts dec. On the next round * K 23, P 2, repeat from * to end of round. On the following round * K 11, sl 1, K 11, P 2, repeat from * to end of round. Continue in this manner, working a dec round every 2 inches on a sl st round and al­ternating dec before and after sl sts on each dec round, until piece measures 25(28-29) inches—315(286-308) sts. On the next round dec in same manner as before and repeat this dec round every 1 inch until piece measures 30(31-32) inches—210(220-220) sts. ON SIZES 14 and 16 ONLY, work in pattern, dec 10 sts at even intervals on next round. ON ALL SIZES, work even on 200(210-220) sts for 1 inch. Bind off all sts.

BLOUSE

BACK: Using straight needles and M C, cast on 92(100-106) sts. Work in stockinette st, inc 1 st each end of needle every ¾ inch 10 times. Work even on 112(120-126) sts until piece measures 8(8-8½) inches. SHAPE ARMHOLES: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 6(7-7) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other row 4(5-5) times. Work even on 92(96-102) sts until armholes measure 7¼(7½-7¾) inches. SHAPE SHOULDERS: At the beg of each of the next 6(8-6) rows bind off 10(8-11) sts. Bind off remaining 32(32-36) sts.

FRONT: Using straight needles and M C, cast on 100(106-114) sts. Work in stockinette st, inc 1 st each end of needle every ¾ inch until piece measures 4¾(5-5½) inches, ending with a K row. On the next row P 16(19-24), put a marker on needle, P 28, put a marker on needle, P 24, put a marker on needle, P 28, put a marker on needle, P 16(19-24) sts. On the next row K to first marker, inc in each of next 28 sts, K center 24 sts, inc in each of next 28 sts, K to end of row. P the next row. On the next row K to first marker, * inc in next st, K 1, repeat from * to second marker, K center 24 sts, * * inc in next st, K 1, repeat from * * to fourth marker, K to end of row. P the next row. Continue in stockinette st on 224(230-240) sts, inc 1 st each end of needle on next row and repeating this inc every ¾ inch until there are 232(238-246) sts. Work even until piece measures 8(8-8½) inches. SHAPE ARMHOLES: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 9(10-10) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other row 5(6-6) times. Work even on 204(206-214) sts until armholes measure 2 inches. SHAPE NECK: Work across 102(103-107) sts; join another ball of yarn and work remaining 102(103-107) sts. Working on both sides at once, dec 1 st at each neck edge every 3rd row until there are 88(90-93) sts on each side. Work even on both sides at once until armholes measure 6¼(6½-6¾) inches, ending with a P row. On the next row K 1(2-2) sts, K 3 tog 29(29-30) times, K remaining 0(1-1) st. P the next row. Work even on 30(32-33) sts of each side until armholes measure 7¼(7½-7¾) inches. SHAPE SHOULDERS: At each arm edge bind off 10(8-11) sts 3(4-3) times.

SLEEVES: Using straight needles and M C, cast on 76(80-82) sts. Work in stockinette st, inc 1 st each end of needle every ¾ inch until there are 86(92-96) sts. Work even until piece measures 4½(5-5½) inches. SHAPE CAP: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 9(10-10) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other row for 4¼(4½-4¾) inches. At the beg of each of the next 6 rows bind off 3 sts. Bind off remaining sts.

BELT: Using straight needles and M C, cast on 10 sts. Work even in stockinette st for 2½ inches. On the next row inc 1 st each end of needle and repeat this inc every 1 inch until there are 28 sts. Work even until piece measures 14½(16½_18½) inches. On the next row dec 1 st each end of needle and repeat this dec every 1 inch until there are 10 sts. Work even for 2½ inches. Bind off all sts.

FINISHING: Work 1 row s c around top and bottom of skirt. Sew underarm, shoulder and sleeve seams. Set in sleeves. Work 1 row s c on neck and sleeves. Block skirt, blouse and belt. Sew skirt and blouse tog. Work a beading on inside waistline. Run elastic, cut to waist measurement, through beading. Line belt. Close belt with snap fasteners. Using a double strand of C C, make a twisted cord and appliqué on belt in design as shown in photograph.